Dance Internship in Spain

I would not change a thing about my experience with PAA. I was able to do all of the things I love in an all-encompassing internship program. I will always cherish the relationships that I built...
Bethany Green

Location

Spain: Barcelona

Program Summary

Build your performance resume, gain international arts experience, and directly contribute to a dance company, all while being immersed in Spanish culture! Deepen your understanding of international dance and expand your own skills as a performer by interning with a professional dance school in Barcelona, Spain. You will walk away with a better understanding of the Spanish language and the dynamics of a performing arts organization.

Program Highlights

* Participate in cultural activities such as Salsa dance lessons and cooking classes, all included!
* Travel to a nearby location such as Granada or Morocco included in the program
* Contribute to the artistic development of a community dance group, culminating in a performance
* Live in the heart of Catalan culture and experience the rich arts scene of Barcelona

10/ 10

Submitted by
AZdancer -
Phoenix, AZ United StatesArizona State University| October 13, 2016

Overall the trip was amazing and I received a very integrated experience. I do believe the placing of me in a studio could have been better in regards to my personal interests. Other students did not have this problem and were placed in good places but I feel mine was really disconnected from my interested and even my submission video.

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Internship Placement

10

Program Administration

10

Living Situation

10

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

10

Dance internship in Spain

Submitted by
Remonters -
Mechanicsburg United StatesHarrisburg Area Community College| August 17, 2016

This experience has been one of the best things of my life. This was my first time away from my family living on my own as I didn't go to a 4 year college. It has been so enlightening finding out who I am as a person and seeing how I handle situations on my own. I would recommend this program to everyone. You meet so many great people, I have made friends I know will be in my life forever. I also learned a lot being in the internship I was placed in. I got to see the difference of studios in Spain than in the U.S.

The dance internship in Spain was excellent, I had exposure to the dance scene in Barcelona where I got to perform in a show and work with the professionals of the industry. My colleagues were very welcoming, and I was pushed to challenge myself beyond in terms of dance creation and performance. I had the honor of working with a director from Madrid, Alberto Velasco who taught me how to create in dance theatre. This opportunity pushed me to a new level of working as an international artist and inspired me to create new work.

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Internship Placement

10

Program Administration

10

Living Situation

7

Cultural Immersion

8

Health and Safety

9

Social Life

9

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Submitted by
jess.strohmyer -
Ok United StatesOklahoma City University| September 02, 2015

This was a life-changing experience. I grew more as an individual, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Over the duration of this experience, I rediscovered my passion for dance. I also enhanced my interest in traveling and discovering the world. This experience has broadened my possibilities in life and has undoubtedly changed me.

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Internship Placement

9

Program Administration

10

Living Situation

10

Cultural Immersion

9

Health and Safety

9

Social Life

9

Summer of a lifetime!

Submitted by
ajyoder -
Tempe, Arizona United StatesArizona State University| August 11, 2015

My experience doing a Performing Arts Abroad dance internship in Barcelona, Spain was unforgettable. Through my internship placement at a local dance studio, I gained valuable teaching experience in a second language, built strong local connections, and took classes from a wide variety of professional instructors. Doing a homestay gave me a deeper immersion into the local culture and language. My Spanish improved immensely, and I even learned some Català! I had a lot of free time to explore the city of Barcelona, as well as make a trip to Morocco. Barcelona is an incredible city, that offers something for everyone. Fascinating museums, gorgeous architecture, vibrant arts and culture, narrow streets that are always alive, an excellent public transportation system that gives you free reign to explore the entire city, and of course, the beach. It is a magical place to be in the summer. I strongly recommend the Performing Arts Abroad program in Barcelona!

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Internship Placement

10

Program Administration

10

Living Situation

10

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

10

Comfortable and awesome!

Submitted by
Immanuel Jones -
Undisclosed| July 27, 2014

I learned so much about myself! Met many different people from all around the world and were able to still connect with them on a personal level. Could do so many different things in a day, so being bored should never be an option! The internship was okay. I heard the same thing from other internees. But I still learned a lot about myself and my interest through the internship.

Overall Rating

10/ 10

Internship Placement

10

Program Administration

10

Living Situation

9

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

10

I would do it again in the future

Submitted by
Leah Pivirotto -
PAA| July 19, 2013

The staff went above and beyond my expectations. My questions were answered rapidly and completely with a kind manner. I felt confident going abroad because PAA covered more information in the pre-departure guide then I could think up. It is evident that the staff has plenty of experience traveling abroad to make an effective pre-departure guide.

I felt so comfortable and at home in the dance school I was working in, that i ended up spending 80% of my time there. Apart from working, I took as many classes as I could get my hands on. Because I was so welcomed, I got to know many Barcelona locals, we hung out and I had the opportunity learn about their beloved city.

The only thing that could have made my placement better would have been more experience, but I had to start somewhere, and it was a great kick start. I successfully connected with my program and expect to work with them in the future.

I couldn't be happier with my experiences! They challenged me to learn more about the professional dance world in Barcelona as well as more about the culture of the city and the region. I was also able to learn more about how I work and how I handle a new culture. I was able to accomplish what I wanted in this internship, which I later realized is what I needed for my own personal growth at that time.

I would not change a thing about my experience with PAA. I was able to do all of the things I love in an all-encompassing internship program. I will always cherish the relationships that I built with my host family, roommates, peers, and the PAA staff, and I will continue to use the cultural knowledge that I gained in Spain for the rest of my life!

Overall Rating

9/ 10

Internship Placement

8

Program Administration

9

Living Situation

8

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

10

I was able to do what I love in another place!

Submitted by
Molly Strom -
PAA| August 05, 2014

My host mother was really stingy about buying us food and rather careless about feeding us. Sometimes she forgot or didn't feel like going to the store so we barely have anything to eat. I think she's really cheap and trying to get the most out of the money she makes for hosting us. She mostly went to the store and bought us frozen dinners. She made complaints about how much food we were eating, even though she did not feed us much. Honestly, she had no interest in providing us with the experience in living in a Spanish home, but rather in it for the money. I guarantee she did not spend half the money she as given to feed us. Also, We were only allowed to do laundry once a week, which is fine, except all 3 of us have to share one load. She won't let us wash our beach towels because she says they were dirty and didn't want them in the washer. She said we need to go buy new ones (because we are made of money) or wash them at the beach. She is a very nice person, but like I said only cares about the money. I would NOT recommend having future students stay with her.

The first two weeks I worked in administration, but they really did not have anything for me to do. It would have been nice if the in-country staff had communicated with me and the internship to figure out something to do that would be more productive to my time. Like working less the first 2 weeks and adding hours on when I was working in the camp.

Overall Rating

9/ 10

Internship Placement

8

Program Administration

8

Living Situation

10

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

8

Made new friends, learned the flamenco, ate a wonderful cuisine, and got immersed in the culture!

Submitted by
Jessica Hallam -
PAA| July 31, 2014

PAA overall is a wonderful company offering great opportunities for students wishing to experience work abroad in so many countries. However, my experience with the BSAE in country Staff was not ideal and productive in my internship experience.

Overall Rating

9/ 10

Internship Placement

8

Program Administration

9

Living Situation

10

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

9

I wish I knew more of Catalan

Submitted by
Bethany Green -
PAA| July 28, 2014

I did not have any challenges--- it was all extremely positive. We were pushed as far as learning the language more rapidly to communicate with the family, but this was so helpful. The food was incredible, and the family was so incredibly kind, funny, helpful, and gracious. We felt very cared-for and loved.

I enjoyed and valued every moment I spent in the studio dancing. I really developed as a dancer and as a person in that time.

I wish I had known more Catalan, because that was spoken WAY more often in the streets than Castellano."

Overall Rating

8/ 10

Internship Placement

10

Program Administration

9

Living Situation

5

Cultural Immersion

7

Health and Safety

8

Social Life

8

Internship abroad experience

Submitted by
Kylie -
Tempe, Arizona United StatesArizona State University| July 18, 2016

I really enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone and exploring a whole different way of living. I got to do something I love in another country and immersed myself into seeing how dance is done in another country. I am really happy that I got this opportunity!

While the internship was not what I expected, I still had a great time, made friends, got to practice my Spanish and got to see a different part of the world. Some issues with health insurance........

Overall Rating

8/ 10

Internship Placement

8

Program Administration

8

Living Situation

8

Cultural Immersion

10

Health and Safety

10

Social Life

8

Remaining open minded and embracing new people, ideas, and concepts

Submitted by
Paige Edwards -
PAA| August 14, 2014

I felt like I fit in pretty well in Barcelona. It's a very artistic, laid back, vibrant, fun, loving, interesting place. I really enjoyed living there, and I'm now bit with the traveling bug, and look forward to my next big adventure.

Overall Rating

7/ 10

Internship Placement

9

Program Administration

6

Living Situation

6

Cultural Immersion

8

Health and Safety

9

Social Life

9

Dance Internship in Spain

Submitted by
SavShoemaker -
Tucson, Arizona United StatesPima Community College| August 21, 2015

I had a great time during my internship in Barcelona, Spain. Upon arrival, I learned that the agency I had obtained the internship through was not exactly who I would be working with onsite. Though the staff of the company in Barcelona was great and helpful, I did run into a few bumps with housing issues and details of my internship placement. All of my problems ended up getting solved, but I think that the novelty of this program caused solutions to take longer than most would expect. I viewed my issues as helping the onsite Barcelona staff learn for the next interns that came along. I would recommend this program to students looking to learn about another city and culture.

**a dance audition video will be required for admission to this internship if you are hoping to train, perform, teach, or assist with choreography (those interested in administration only need not submit a video). There are no set guidelines, only to present yourself in a way that highlights your dance abilities as best you can. You may submit an existing video if it is available.